About

According to a 1995 Department of Education report, public high school enrollment was expected to increase by 13% between 1997 and 2007. This increase will have a great impact on all types of libraries that serve young adults, ages 12 through 18. The need for more librarians to serve young adults is obvious. The best libraries will seize the opportunity to cultivate the increasing numbers of young adults as lifelong library partners and users. (Statement adapted from Young Adults Deserve the Best: Competencies for Serving Youth.

Professional Associations

The Young Adult Library Services Association was established in 1957 and has over 5,700 members today. The mission of YALSA is to advocate, promote and strengthen service to young adults as part of the continuum of total library service, and to support those who provide service to this population.

Guidelines

"Guidelines for Library Services to Teens, Ages 12-18" (PDF). Approved by the YALSA Board in 2007 and the RUSA Board in 2008. Will be placed on RUSA and YALSA websites, currently published in Flowers, Sarah. "Guidelines for Library Services to Teens," Young Adult Library Services, Spring 2008, p. 4-7.

Advocating for Teen Services

For advocacy resource relating to serving teens in all types of libraries, visit YALSA's wiki

Young Adult Literature

For lists of recommended reading, please see the annual book and media selection lists and award winners chosen by the Young Adult Library Services Association. YALSA has five annual book and media awards and seven annual lists of recommended reading, listening and viewing.

Encouraging Teens to Read

Library media specialists and young adult librarians are the vital link between teens and reading materials, whether it’s a book, magazine, graphic novel or an audiobook. They have the expertise to find the right book for the right teen and to create activities that engage what teens are reading in all sorts of fun and educational ways.

It's important to provide teens with a wide variety of reading materials on subjects that interest them and allow them to make their own selections. Make sure teens have safe, regular transportation to a library and talk with the young adult librarian or school library media specialist about how to find the right book for your teen.

You may also find guidance on encouraging teens to read at the Teen Read Week wiki. Teen Read Week is an annual literacy initiative of YALSA. It's aimed at teens, their parents, librarians, educators, booksellers and other concerned adults to encourage teens to read for the fun of it.

Many public libraries and school library media specialists have reach out to young adults by increasing the number of graphic novels and illustrated literature in their collections.

In 2008, the Teen Tech Week committee produced a series of tech guides for librarians on a wide variety of topics, including gaming, virtual worlds, and making music with teens. See the full series, along with other resources for teens and technology.

Videogames

YALSA offers a list of Top 50 Gaming Core Collection Titles, developed by its Gaming Interest Group. The list was also published in the Winter 2008 issue of Young Adult Library Services and on a poster that YALSA distributes at conferences. To receive a copy of the poster, contact yalsa@ala.org.